Chapter Eight
I woke up Tuesday morning after a restful night's sleep. If I'd had a dream I did not remember what it was. Rob had called me before I went to sleep, he was hiding out in his hotel room and I immediately felt bad that he was forced to hide. It was ridiculous that people who claim to love these people did these things to them. Did they not understand what their actions were causing? No I answered myself, they didn't stop and think about the consequences of their need to touch Robert Pattinson's left forearm. After talking to him, I couldn't simply fall asleep, my head as spinning and my breathing at a pace that was far from relaxing. I read a few chapter of Rebecca and eventually decided I could fall asleep.
Work was uneventful, but went by fast. I had to deliver a few things to a printers a few blocks away near the end of the day, the normal delivery person had forgotten to get the items from our offices on the seventh floor so I was sent out. As I walked by newsstands, billboards and stores I began to see what Rob was talking about. He really was everywhere, magazine covers speculating his relationship status, twilight merchandise, there was even a New Moon billboard up already. How did I not notice all of this before?
As if on cue my phone went off.
Old Castle tonight? Seven?
-Rob
I was just looking at your face Mr. Normal guy. You are surrounding me!
-P
You didn't answer my question. And I thought you weren't into celebrity culture?
-Rob
I'm not, was taking a walk. And I can see your face in 12 different spots from where I stand right now. Old Castle huh?
-P
I want to see you. Please? My treat?
-Rob
I laughed, I really wasn't playing hard to get but I'm sure that's how it came off. I was stalling, trying to decide the ramifications of another dinner with Rob, seeing him everyday since we met. Shouldn't we be pacing things, slow remember? I sighed knowing there was no point; I wanted to see him as much as he seemed to want to see me.
Old Castle… Seven. But MY treat.
-P
You are too good to be true. I'll see you soon.
-Rob
Not soon enough I sighed to myself before realizing it was already 4:30. I hurried my pace, knowing the delivery had to get to the printers before five. I had plenty of time and had returned to the office and my desk by 4:50. My boss was waiting for me and a lump rose in my throat, I felt like I had been doing a good job. Always working extra hard to make up for my denseness when it came to subway schedules, and thankfully I messed up more often on the way home not making me late for work. I thought I got a long great with the senior editors was interning for, helpful, hard-working and thoughtful they had told me. So why was the Matt from HR sitting on the side of my desk, waiting for me?
Matt Banner was fairly young, around thirty. He was only slightly taller than me, 5'10" I would guess but had a confidence about his that made his seem taller. His short brown hair was maintained perfectly, and he had warm brown eyes that were usually friendly, but in this situation I could not look past his crossed arms to try and discover his intentions.
"Hello Mr. Banner," I greeted with a smile in spite of my nerves, unsure what else to do. Start packing my stuff?
"I've told you before Peyton, Matt is fine. I want you to think about me as more a friend then your boss," He started, "You need to be able to come to me with problems and if you think of me like your high school principle you can't do that."
"I'm not having any problems," I said quickly, "I love it here. I mean I wish the subway was simpler, but that can't be helped and I'm sure I'll get the hang of it."
He laughed; we had discussed this lightly the second time I was late. "I know that Peyton. You are fitting in great here. Everyone loves you!"
"I don't understand, what is this about then…?" I asked my voice breaking.
He smiled warmly but didn't put my nerves at ease. "Well, you are doing incredible. Really Peyton, you impress everyone. Your drive, your passion, and your professionalism. It's stunning in someone so fresh out of school; maybe Western should share some of their teaching plans with some schools down here because it is clearly you are perfect for this job."
I smiled, this was not the negative conversation I have anticipated when I saw Matt sitting on my desk, and instead of being fired I was being pumped with compliments, "Umm… Matt. What is this about? I doubt you spend ten minutes complimenting every intern?"
He laughed gently, "No, no we don't Peyton. There is a bit of an opportunity that has come up. Have you met Jenna Mercer yet?"
I thought for a moment, but shook my head. He continued, "Well she is pregnant and was put on bed rest today for the sake of her and the baby. She wasn't supposed to start maternity leave for another two months so we were quite unprepared for this. She is a junior editor in the non-fiction department. We were panicking a little bit, but then Malcolm suggested you fill in."
My head spun, Malcolm was the editor who had been here longer than anyone else. He was at the top of his game, I was always intimidated by him, terrified of messing up, and he suggested me for a real editing job, when I'd only been here three and a half weeks. My stomach did another flip-flop for an entirely different reason then it had the last few days.
Matt continued, "So if you are interested you could start shadowing Kelsey tomorrow and if all go well begin on Monday. We wouldn't be throwing you to the wolves, Kelsey has agreed to help you out in anyway you need and she shared an office with Jenna so it works perfectly. I understand that this is huge and probably a little scary, but it's a great opportunity and if all goes well you will be set Peyton."
"Yes," I blurted out, "I would love too! I mean, Wow. This is just a little overwhelming I thought you were here to fire me and now a real editing job. I won't let you down!"
Matt smiled, "Fire you? You are the best intern we've had since I've been here. So tomorrow morning meet me in my office, and we will get you settled into your office and introduce you to Kelsey. You will love her! She is very easy to get along with."
Matt had insisted I did not stay late again today, he had instructed me to go celebrate but do so in moderation because tomorrow would be a busy day. Thankful I had dinner plans I went straight home and changed. To get ready for a celebration.
I changed quickly into a pair of dark jeans that were fitted and looked great but were so comfortable. I put on a purple tank top that had metallic threads woven through it very subtly and shimmered just a little. I tossed on a black satin blazer that was a splurge I treated myself too when I got the intern job.
Then I pulled out my phone, dialing an all too familiar number. He answered after only one ring, "Hey beautiful!"
"Hey James," I greeted cheerfully. My voice a few octaves higher then normal I was sure.
He was surprised, "What are you so perky about? Did you finally get laid?"
My sexual status was a constant joke for James who couldn't believe it when I revealed to him when we became closer friends our second year. He'd constantly offered to help me out and just get it over with, since it wasn't a religious choice or a desire to wait until marriage. I'd politely declined, he was my best friend and I wasn't going to mess that up. Besides I wanted to have a rush of emotions, to know that I couldn't keep my hands of a guy. I loved James dearly, but it just wasn't that way with him.
"Of course you would bring up sex. You know there is more to the world than sex right?" I laughed, "No nothing has changed on that front, but I do have some awesome news!"
"You got fired and are coming back home to Canada?" I could hear the smile in his voice despite the negativity of being fired. I knew he missed me and I missed him so much too. He was trying to come down for a long weekend during the Civic holiday weekend, the first week of August. Unlike my Dad and Nan he was cool crashing on my couch.
"Thanks jerk. Glad you think so much of my skills. No as a matter of fact I got promoted!" I exclaimed.
"What? P that's incredible! What's it been three weeks?" He said sharing in my happiness, I knew had had been joking, "So you did get laid. Who did you have to sleep with you pull that off?"
"You are the only one who feels the need to sleep their way to the top silly boy," I laughed, "I got promoted partly of desperation, a girl had to take early maternity leave but they chose me because of my hard work, passion and professionalism." I smiled thinking about Matt complimenting me when I thought I was going to be fired.
We talked a little more, discussed his coming trip and his latest female friend, he never had girlfriends they were female friends, or female callers. I shook my head thinking about some of James' more interesting quirks.
I called my Nana to share my good news but she was more interesting in my new actor boyfriend. My dad had told her about our conversation and she instead decided we must be a couple. I tried to convince her this was not the case, she just insisted on meeting him when she came for her visit.
I glanced at the clock and it was only 6:30 so I called my dad to share the news with him myself rather than hear it second hand from my Nan. He was very pleased, but I could sense a slight twinge of disappointment. I knew he was not on board 100% with the New York plan, he wanted me close to home but he was supportive. He wished me good luck on my first say as an editor and then said goodbye, nice quick tidy phone call.
I sighed and made my way out of my apartment, grabbing my wallet on the way and locked the door. It only took five minutes to get to the Old Castle so I made it there early, hoping to pick out my table and try to relax before Rob arrived.
I walked in slowly trying to tame my racing heart beat that was speeding in anticipation, and was stunned to see him there sitting in my booth, at only 6:45. I smiled and strolled over, "Someone is early, did I keep you waiting long?"
He smiled as he stood up to greet me, "No I just got here two minutes ago. I was getting antsy," he told me blushing. I loved how honest he was even if it embarrassed himself slightly.
"So lets get something do drink, we are celebrating tonight!" I exclaimed waving at Heather who had watched me enter.
He lifted his right eyebrow, "And what pre-tell are we celebrating on this fine evening?"
I smiled as I finally took a seat in the booth across from him, though it was hard to pull myself away from the hug he had embraced me in, I wanted to see his face when I told him my good news, although I wasn't sure why. In reality we barely knew each other even though it felt like we'd known each other for ages.
"Well, I got promoted today. Which is fantastic because I've only been an intern there for three weeks," I beamed, "I'm sure it was because they were desperate because a girl had to take early maternity leave, and they were in need of someone right away. But they chose me. My boss told me I was the best intern they'd ever had."
He was beaming more than I was somehow, "Peyton that is incredible! Congratulations! You must be simply ecstatic!"
His enthusiasm was real, he was truly happy for me. The way only an old friend could be, he was not feigning interest like someone who you'd only known a matter of days typically would. I sat there, baffled and confused, totally unsure how I was sitting in this situation. And how was I letting myself get deeper involved in this situation?
He grabbed my hand before I realized what was happening and gave me a kiss. Light and simple, on the top of my right hand. He smiled, widely, "I'm so glad you shared this with me tonight. So glad I can be a part of this with you."
He didn't look away this time like he usually did whenever the conversation turned serious or emotional. He stared right at me with those piercing steel blue eyes. I nearly melted into a puddle right there. I tried to regulate my breathing and smiled, "I'm glad you are here too."
The evening wore on, casually we talked about recent events, his filming schedule which was picking up a little bit over the next few days, and we talked about the requirements of the new job I would be occupying. It was way to easy to talk to him, to be with him, making it very hard to rationalize staying away from him. It didn't help that he was totally beautiful in an almost unnatural way.
We finished out meals; he finished his second beer which I politely declined. We discussed my progress in the novel which was slower than it would have been if he hadn't been occupying a large portion of my time. I shifted my weight, the wooden bench of the booth starting to make my rear sore and nearing numb.
"I don't want you to leave," He said looking at me in a pleading voice; he had noticed my shift and guessed the reason behind it.
"Well, I'm not tired yet, but this wooden bench in beating me up a little," I sighed and glanced down, "But I don't want the night to end yet." I hade taken a cue from him, looking away when I didn't want to embarrass myself, a little afraid of his reaction.
"We could hand out at your place for a while," He shrugged as I looked back up, "If you don't mind."
I smiled, "That sounds perfect, should we go separately?" As I spoke I grabbed for the check that had been waiting on the edge of the table, but he beat me to it.
"I know you said your treat, but that wouldn't be fair. It was your celebration night, please?" I couldn't refuse the sentiment or those stunning eyes. "And its your call, I don't mind if someone sees us together. But I totally understand if you don't want that brought down on you."
I pondered for a minute, "I'll head out now, it will give me a chance to hide the post-its from the last two days," I laughed as I remembered there were at least four new ones, reminding me to pick up milk, buy new flip-flops, get a new suit for work and buy an extra blanket for James blanket.
He gave me a kiss, light and gentle and as I went to turn away to head out he pulled me in, tight. His lips were on mine in an instant, pressing down hard. He relaxed slightly as he opened his lips, mine followed suite immediately. His arms tight against my back, not reaching or searching just holding me close to him.
Just as I began to get light headed he released me, I had to remember to breathe when things like this happened. He was just too damn good at this, my smile faded slightly as I wondered how man girls he had kissed before. How would he feel if you knew he was the only person I had kissed?
I smiled again as he pressed him lips to my forehead and spoke, "I'll miss you until I see you again."
